Clutch mechanism for power hoists



NOV. 11, 1930. R A, NQRLING" 1,781,125

' CLUTCH MECHANISM FOR POWER HOISTS I Filed April 15, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 @7520 24% Mrrgg,

if? V672 $77 CLUTCH MECHANISM FOR POWER HOISTS Filed April 15,1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 11, 1930. R. A. NORLING 1,781,125 CLUTCH MECHANISM FOR POWER HOISTS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 A \u "mi 7477/ WHHII 'H MI'LI II HI Filed April 15 w Nw mw mm A l A W Nov. 11, 1930.; R. A. NORLING 1,781,125

CLUTCH MECHANISM FOR POWER HOISTS Filed April 15, 1927 4 Sheets-She et 4 j w H l 1 1 hwh WW a Patented Nov. 11; 1930 UNITED'STATESY REINHOLID A. Noni-Inc, or "AURORA, ILLINOIS, Assreixionj o mi nriinnmvr runu MArIoTooL coMPAn-Y, OF GHICAGO,-ILLI1\TOI S, noonronnrron ornELAwARn v cLUTcH'MEoHanisi/r on POWER, H me? application filed April 15,

the clutch mechanism which is interposed be tween the motor and the hoisting drum, and one object of the invention is to provide a clutch mechanism which automatically brakes or checks the descent of the load being. handled, should it run ahead of the motor, and thereby prevent the load from descending ex cept at the speed which is furnished for loweringof the load bythe motor.

Another object of my invention is tohave the clutch mechanism automatically tightened up by the load in raising the same and thus avoid the necessity of any manual operation to connect the load with the motor 7 I A further object of my invention is to have the clutchautomatically stop the descent of the load should the'motor stop for any reason, and thus prevent the load from dropping A still further object of my invention is to employ aclutch of the friction disk type and thus obtain the greatest possible holding action in the smallest possible space, as required for portable power driven-hoists withthe clutch mechanism simple in construction and operation, yet sturdy and strong towithstand the strains and jars ofse'rvice. 1 f:

The invention consists further in the matters hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a front end viewof a power operated hoistembodying the features of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical'longitudinal sectional view taken through the hoist on line 2+2 of Fig.1.; Fig.3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken through the clutch "end of the hoist on line 3-3 of Fig. 4, the cover for the clutch mechanism being broken away for the pur-.:

pose of illustration; i I

Fig. 4 is. an end view of the clutch mechanism with the cover removed;

Fig. 51s a transverse vertical sectional view 1927. sei'iai No. 183,961

taken on line 5 5 of F e of'the I friction block holders in-section-to show detailsof that structure; j

Figs. 6 and 'Zare opposite sleeve'forthe clutch disks; i

I Fig. 8 is a side view ofsaidsleeve with half viewso f the insection, as viewed from line 8 of Fig. 7 Y I Fig. 9. is aplan view of said sleeve with 1 half in section," as viewedfrom line 9, of n, V QFig. clutch disk is loosely mounted on said sleeve;

Fig. 11 is a face view 'of,one.0fthe .outer sleeve; and. 1 I v V Fig. 12 is a vertica'l sectionalview through said disk on-line 12,12 of Fig. 11. I

As shown in Fig. --2', thehoist" comprises.

generall ;a motor sectionl, a hoist section 2, and: a clutch section 3... These sections are 10 lsa view showing how the'center disks to showthe key portionsthereofforthe secured together with; the: motorfand clutch sections 1 and 3 on opposite sides ofsthe hoist section-2so as toprovide'a balanced assembly which will. hang straight andinsure-proper winding ofjthe hoisting cable .4 on the drum 5 within the section2s In the type'ofhOiS shown, one end of the cable 4 isfixed to the caseofthe section 2 ate? (F ig 1'), while the otheren'd of the cable is fixed tothe-drum 5.- The 'loop thus provided in the. cable is on the outside of the'hoist below the same and carries a pulley6 in a hook block'7, as'in devices of this kind. Thehoist section 2 is provided on its upper sid e with a swiveled hook 2 ,;by means oflwhichthe entiredevice may be S11slil'fla edfrom a chain or other over- PPQ t- 1 Themotor withinyth'e section lxmay be of any preferredl type, either electric .or pneumatic, the-latter being shown in the- .drawings. 'When of thistype, a suitable throttle Valve 8 is provided for; controlling the inlet and. exhaust, of compressed air or other motive fluid employed to operate the imotor.

The valve 8 is actuated through the medium of a one-piecelever 9, whichjis suitably con-' i nected with the valve so as to open or close it when pulling downon the oppositeendsof the lever. The latter extends across-the mo- I top ection. 1 "t have ends, n ppo i e I 1 sides thereof, and to these ends are connected:

indicate to-the operator which handleinust be pulled to jefie'ctoperati'on the motor in" pulley block 7, as the'oase maybe; The motor I "will'run in the'directioi required'as longas the operator. maintains his graspveonj the selected hfandle andholds itldown'. Onjreleas- 7' ing;ahandle aspring 9*, associated with the lever 9, will immediately return :it to its nor- 7 V c malposition,

valve 8 to out off the supply of motivefiuid tothejmotor and stop the-same.

"The crankor driving shaft 120i i extends into the hoist 's'ection 2 throughfan Fig. 2

inter-posed Connecting plate '13, as shown in gear teeth whichmesh withfa-gear wheel l l fixed. to a shaft 15 which extends through and beyond the drum 5 onj opposite: sides a Z thereofi A sleeve 16 is interposed-between the shaft and the drum and has a tight fit in the latter and loose mounting on the shaft, 7 so that the'shaftis may be rotated faster than? the drum 5. I opposite supported in the caseof the hoist 'sectioii2t'o support the shaftdh the drum said casap Y V .l y l :5 A c: Theshafi 1 5 is-{extended into the clutch section '3 the hoiising and has its outer endsu'pported in shaft extending through the clutch mechanisni i-n's'aid section andsu'pportingthe same.

, a [the disks 19 19are clanipedagain ter disk22 withthe friction ma t Qthenn As Shown'in The c1utch "mechanism includes a} sleeve; 18 v p r J loose on the shaft 15ja'n'd extending through i to the sleeve in a'pair of clutchi-disks l9; 19 which are "keyed 6, 7, and 11. As there illustrated, the sleeve 18 is cut :awayto provide key-ways or reeesses 20, 20 into whiehextend portions 21,

21 of the disks 19'so'as-toconnectthe-latter. with; the sleeve 101; rotationin unison. 'Af

third disk 22. i's f'located between the' 'disks 19fland'suit ablerfiat rings 23, 23 of friction fabric are interposed betWeenthem, so

that all the disks may-revolve asjaunit when alibetween 3, the fric'ti'on rings 23,23 are secured to the center d lrag'by riv j 'ets orother nieans jalthough'therings may be secured to the outer disk'sj -lg if desired.

The center diSk-QZ is lojos lygmeunted: on

V the s1eeve18 1n f the1inanner shownin Figl'lO;

a) The-*centerIop 'hinggQfll inI-the center diski322 s1eevei18 and thus is supported by tliefl'por' I Itions'of the sleeve enqopp sit sides off the key 'ways 20, 2Q, as showii imFig. 10. In

- v order toprovide a-jin'axini uin bearingfsurface 1 s of the diskssl919bfithe s1eeve18fl lengthen has diameter as large asith'e ioiitsidefofthe e p tive y,

a direction to raise or lower a] load "or the I gtoward and from the center disk without I interference by the latter in the. clamping shown n Fig. 1, and close the There the shaft 12'is providedwith V The sleeve16- extends onsides of the-drum andihas itsends' or cover 17 'for'said' section, said 7 the manner shown in Figs.

st the fceny' plugs 36 ,andtheir1 out the key portions2l, 21 of said disks and I 7 r 7 give them an outside diameter slightly.less,' than the diameter of thexopening 24 in the said key portions 21 center disk 22,- so that may enter saidopening. (see Fig.3 and thus per1nit thegdisks .to be.v arranged relatively clo'se togetherand the outer disks tohemoved I and unclamping of theidisksg The sleeve 18 is held;ifrom'endwis'e inovement along-the shaft15 toward the motor se'c- 25 on said shaft-abutting against the opposed end of the sleeve' 16, as

Th e sleeve 16 is held from movementrin this direction by aiflange. 16*

tion 1 by flange shown in Fig, 2.

thereon, abutting against a fixedpartQ of the-1; 5 case'of'the'hoistsection v V v is supported-' Theinneridiskjl9is held from movement in the" same direction along the sleevefl8 by butting against ashoulder 26 on saidsleeve. a c

The smart is provided with a shame; Q'Zattheouter end ofthesl'ee've 18', said shoulder beingformed by reducing the portion 01 the shaft beyondthe' same,

2 inwh-ich the sleeve" as shown in Fig.3. a

A sleeve-'28 is keyed or otherwise fixedzto the reduced portionof the shaft 15 andis held against the shoulder-27' by a nut f29 screwed 011a threaded portion (seam shaft beyond'the sleeve; 1A cotter pin ma'yheeinployed for, holding the nut :29 fromturningafter tight ening the sleeve 28 against-the' shoulder 27. I

The sleeve 28 isprovidedwith {a coarse v itched:thread' 3O witliwhich cooperates a similarly threaded ring'gl to which isrivetedx or otherwise secured a pressureplate 32 carryingblocks '33, 33'o'fsuitable friction 'mate5igl,= springs 3 1, "3 1 against the inner surface-of. anoverhanging annular flangeY35 c'arried' by the outermost of the friction disks 19," as best ,sho-Wn in Figi 3.

such as wood, which are pressedou'twar Thetension of justed through suitable screw plugs 36, 536', which are carried; by the the" springs be :adno plate 82-7 beneath thejblocks 33,1 Theplate 32 isgcastor otherwise formed".withoutwardly projecting seo tions32, aae'onene 4 H sidethereofrtoisupport the blocl'rsi33 andfaccommodate. the screw 'prings34LRA col1ar37is mounted-on the icoar'se threaded portionT-30,

sure p1ate 31 and carries'aninwardlypro ect I appear. I

of the sleeve 28 at theouter side of thepresi-as The 'outeriend portion of the ri s f provide'd'with; akfine thread40 on which is screwed a nutj ll termitthe distancethat the .fcollar' 3,7inay travel outward on'{the coarse ave-ages b one direction by silent 'pawls 44, 44 engaging vratchet teeth about the outer periphery of the center disk. To accommodate the teeth 45, the disk 22 is provided with an annular flange 46 which extends over the periphery of the inner disk 19. The pawls 44 are piv- ,otally,mounted on pins 4'1, :whichare supported at their opposite endsin the center frame 2 and the cover 17 of the hoi'stand clutch sections, respectively. Bands 48,48

are connected with the'pawls 44, 44 and extend part way around theoutside of the flange 46. These bands are made of spring metal and normally grip the outer surface of the flange, 'so as to have a self'wrapping action thereon under a tendency to turn the disk 22 in the directionof the arrow in Fig. 4 and thus move the pawls 44 into engagement withtherat'chet teeth 45 to hold the disk 22 from turning in that direction. When this disk is turned in the opposite direction, it slips within the bands 48, 48 and, as the bands are given a slight movenientin the same directionby reason of their frictional engagement with the flange 46, the pawls 44 .are

swung out of engagementwith the ratchet teeth 45, and thus allow'the disk 22 to be turned without the pawls ratcheting over said teeth,thus providinga quiet or silent operation. The cover l7. where it extends over the pawls 44 is provided with a recess 49 to receive .thepawls 44 at this time, Thespring bands 48 are operatively connected with the pawlsl44 by havingthe ends of the bands v turned or bent outward at the'pawl's and low their Fig. 4.

fitting in slots 44? provided in the pawls bepivotal mountings47, as shown in TWO pawls44 areprovided withjthe pawls "arranged'one in advance ofthe other so as to lessenthe amount of back lash of the disk 22 before one of the pawls engagesfthe teeth 45,;Moreover, with two pawls one pawl is su re toengage the teeth and stop the back lash of the disk the event that the other pawl should fail. With a plurality of pawls (t la te n he teet may r a e r and thus have more strength. With thefriction. bands 48, 48 lying in the space between the teeth 45 and a' bead 50 at the inner end ef the flan'ge46, the'pawls '44 may be made wide enough to 'entend over this s te and ti e be made. s renei i he Outer ds of the'pawls ovel this spaceare cut away sofas to clearthe bands asythe pawls move inward .to engage the teeth45. Both pawls are made alike'so that they may be interchanged, andthus avoid the necessity ofbeing required to locate either pawl in'anykxparticular place the asse-mbly'of the device. I :The drum 5 is geared to the sleeve 18 so 7 that the rotation of the drum in both winding andunwinding is controlled through the clutch disks 19 and 22 The connectionshown in Fig. 2comp'rises gear teeth 51' on *the end of the sleevebeyond the inner disk'19. This" end, of the sleeve extends into the hoist' section2 and has its teeth 51 in mesh with a gear wheel 52 fixed toone end of ashort shaft 53 Y which is journaled in the bearing 2 provided therefor inthe case of the hoist sectio1i2.'

The otherend of thezshaft53,extendsto the drum 5 and has gear teeth 54 which meshwith internal gear teeth 55 provided onthe drum 5. I

The mechanismshown and described operates as follows. On, starting the motor in the section l'to lift a load, the motor shaft 12is rotated anti-clockwise when viewed from the motor end of the hoist; Thisturns the shaft l5 clockwise throughthe gear wheel 14; As

the shaft 15 turns with respect to the winding drum 5, the latter is held stationary by i the resistance offered bythe load through. the cable 4. Thedrum 5 at thistime', through its driving connection with the, sleeve '18,

holds the disks 19, 19 against rotation: The

pressure plate 32 is also held against rota tion by the frictional engagement of the blocks 33 with the flange 35' on the adjacent disk 19. As the sleeve 28 is turned with the shaft 15, its coarse-thread 30, which is righthanded, causes the pressure plate 32 lto'he moved inward against the }adj ao'ent disk 19 and thereby efl'ectlthe clamping'of all the disks,'which causes the sleeve 18 to hemmed by; the shaft 15 and, rotate "the drumf5 to effeet the lifting ofthe load. Thepawl's 44 at this" time are held .up the recess '49and are'outofengagement with the teeth 145 50 9 that the entire clutch'assemblyniay turn as a'unit. g; I

When the loadj ha's'been lifted; to thefdesired height,"the.m'otor isstopped upon the operator releasing the handle IOi' The load atthis'tim'e, its weight has tendency to descend and turn the clutch assemblyfin the opposite direct-ion. Upon the startjof this movement, the spring band s 48 operate to swing the pawls44 down 1i1to engagement with the ratchet teeth 45, and thusf'check the rotationand prevent further descent of the load and hold the same in-that position.

To lower theload', the handle 11 is pulled and held down tofreverse motor andthus 1 rotate the shaft 15 in theoppdsitedirection. By this movement the sleeve28 is turned and b its coarse threaaeo turningin alefthanded direction, the'plate 8 2 is moved outward from the ''adjtfoent disk '19, thereby relea in i h l i P u e o the disk ,andiallowing the-disks'l9t'o turn with red spect the center disk, which jatlthisl time ise-held stationary by the flange 35 the disks 19, -1 9,a re turned with the shaft 15 to rotate the drum 5 throngh the sleeve direction-to lowertheload Iby thedirect action of the motor Should'the load 'tend to descend? faster than the speed itherebyehecking thejdesce'ntof th'loadQ As,

' the rotation of. the shaft 7 V iclampingaction on, the clntchfdisks is re- 20 i 1 are justenongh to releasethe clamping presfurnished by the motor, the coarse threadQSO' on, the sleeve 28 will cause the plate. 321130 be moved inward toward the disks19vand clampthe m to (the now? stationary disk 22,

'15 is continued, the

leased or loosened by the outward movement of the plate 32:so as-t0 continuethe. descent load at the speed provided by the motor; The-stud 38 is -located suflic'iently lclose to theshonlderi39 so that theinward and outward movements of the member "82 snre on theclntCh disks; and thereby prevent any sud'len stopping" and startingofthe load.

l' l -hecontinual turning'of theshaftl5 by the Inotorfkeep s releasing the 'jclainping action between'the disks, and thus allows the load 7 Qto descend within Q the limit of the speed ot motornpon the l ri vb 1 loadxwithout any or strain on the mecha- 5o nismfjoron theloadon' startingfthe motor.

56 and raising it.

6 from gbeing raised-intocontact ,24 casing of ,the hoist toy-do damage. ,fTheTair inletfor the'motor is at 58. Z Y as'provid'edby o the "stud 3 8ia-11d the shonlder" 39 allows, for.

, l adjnstment of the; collar 37, when .'takingnp T. over, provides the cure-a smooth. acti :The connecting plat elitist provided with a depending lug',55; to which piv oteda stop" lever 56 having oneend connected by a rod ,57Vto ,thecontrol lever 9 so asto stop the 'w h'i -he The lost motion connection the Wear betweenthe clutch disks, and, morehe raising and lowering of Furthermore, theelnteh mechanism being aui :receive aload. 'v The details p r scribed withrespect to theclutch mechanism mayb yar u yzsh ng'ed ndm dfie wi tomaticallytightened by the operation'jof the v v motorin turning the drum, will r'otatethe a latter-.-.whe11 either raising or lowering the maybe required for hook block 7 z witho utt any load thereon, as 'pq i instheiblee amasassed. a;

pawlslii. -The'stiid on thecollar 37 isnoWbronght into contact. withytheshoulder :39 and by the fri'c-Q tional engagement of the blocks 33 with the V p y- 11 s s l n com n into; contact with the-ginner end offthe leyer Thisrprovidesb an automatic safety cut-offqiorthe motorin case the V operator shouldhappen. to hold the handle 11,

' down too long and thereby prevent the pulley clearance necessary: to se-, ng clutch w-hich will take ont departing hom ng spirit and seopeflof p thefclutch disks may be increased to any number desired, de

my invention. Moreover,

"-. I claim'as my invention: I

'1'. Ina power-driven hoist, theco1nbina qu-iredt for thesizeoflhoist bein'g pending on the'amonntof gripping action ref 1 7 0 tio'njwith a reversible motor andfafhoisting drum, ofa clutch mechanism forconnecting.

the drum nlralsing andlower 'ing a load, and screw actuated means 'oper the motor with ated by the motorfwhen'lowering theload for s alternately, engaging and disengaging the" I {clutch to, prevent the' load ifrom'erlinning 11 i pbvsi e ly ahead of the motor and lowered thereby.

V 2I2In a polwer the motor wlth thedrumin raising and low:

v H driven hoist, the c'omb tion witha.reversiblejmotor fandfa hoist ng v drum,'ofa clutch mechanism-for connect ng:

ering a load, said clntch meohanismicomprising friction disks,.and screw actuated means operated by the motor respectively, to prevent the' lo'adff romrrun I in the low'ering of the r j load fortightening and loosening the disks,

'ningv ahead of the motor and b el,pQ

tively lowered thereby. T-

i 3. Ina powerdriven drum,'ofa clutch mechanism-for connecting. "the motor with the drum in raising and'low'en 4 clutch mechanism comprising a, screw tnrned by the motor, v q and. a threaded @member (Lo-operating with I to'be; moved thereby toward and V disks ffor tightening and loosening ing a-load, said friction disks,

said screw from said the same, respectively, I

motor-to raise and positively thereby.

in the turning ofthe nation with H a hoisting drum, of a clutch mechanism for connecting 4. In a ower driven this, the etmbi,

reversible motor-f and a the motorj'with the drumhinr raising and. lowering. a load,} said clutch mechanism e ii n i frict ni disks, a screw tn'rnedgby the motomalthraded memp heron said screw and moved thereby toward j 1 andjfromfthedisks 'to tighten and releasethe' same, respectively,in the turning of the motor to raise and lower A endwise of the screw. V. 55111 a power driven the combinae the load thereby, and,

'friction meansacting onone'of said'discsforj resisting he turning of the threaded member @f v by :ithemotor tocai sethe member move vtion-with a reverslble motor'and a hoisting drum, of a iclutch'mechanismior connecting the motor with the drnm inraising and'lower- I fing a-load,said clutch mechanisn comp'rising friction disks, meansforYtightening and resp ectively,in the tijirn-r looseningthe disks,

ing' of the motor to raiseandlowr afll'o'ad 3 thereby, and means including a pivoted pawl {and ratchetteeth' cooperating therewith for i h l o e pit-s d d k estim ted-atria ite when the motor is stopped to prevent dropping of the load.

6. In a hoist, the combination with a driving shaft, of a hoisting drum loose thereon, said shaft having a screw threaded portion at one side of said drum, a sleeve loose on said shaft and having a driving connection with the drum, friction disks keyed directly to said sleeve, a loose disk between the keyed disks, a pressure member on said screw and movable 7 thereby toward and from the disks for tightening and loosening the same, respectively, in the turning of the shaft in opposite directions, and friction means carried by said pressure member and acting on one of the keyed discs for resisting the turning of the pressure member by said shaft.

7. In a hoist, the combination with a driving shaft, of a hoisting drum loose thereon, said shaft having a screw-threaded portion at one side of said drum, a sleeve loose on said shaft and havinga driving connection with the drum, friction disks keyed directly to said sleeve, a loose disk between the keyed disks, a pressure member on said screw and movable thereby toward and from the disks for tightening and loosening the same, respectively, in the turning of the shaft in opposite directions, friction means carried by said pressure member and acting on one of the keyed discs for resisting the turning of the pressure member by said shaft, and pawl and ratchet means for holding the loose disk against rotation when the shaft is rotated to lower a load.

8. In a hoist, the combination with a driving shaft, of a hoisting drum loose thereon, said shaft having a screw-threaded portion on one side of said drum, a sleeve loose on said shaft and having a driving connection with the drum, friction disks keyed directly to saidsleeve, a loose disk between the keyed disks, a pressure member on said screw and movable thereby toward and from the disks for tightening and loosening the same, respectively, in the turning of the shaft in opposite directions, and adjustable means on the shaft at the screw to limit the outward movement of the pressure member from the disks and to enable the taking up of wear of the discs.

9. In a hoist, the combination with a driving shaft, of a hoisting drum loose thereon, said shaft having fine and coarse threads at one side of the drum, a sleeve loose on said shaft and having a driving connection with I said drum, friction disks keyed tothe sleeve,

. a loose disk between the keyed disks, a pressure member on the coarse thread and having frictional engagement with one of the keyed disks, a collar on the coarse thread to limit the-outward movement of the pressure member from said disks, and a lost-motion connection between the pressure member and said collar.

10. In a power driven hoist, the combination with a reversible drum, of a clutch mechanism for connecting the motor with the drum in raising and lowering a load, said clutch mechanism comprising friction disks, ratchet teeth and pawl mechanism. associated with one disk for holding the same against rotation when rotating the motor in a direction to lower a load, and means operating in the rotation of the motor in the opposite direction to automatically release the pawl from the ratchet so that the disk associated therewith may turn with the motor when raising a load.

11. In a power driven hoist, the combination with a reversible motor and a hoisting raising and lowering a load, said clutch mechanism comprisingfriction disks, one of said disks having ratchet teeth, a pawl carried by the hoist casing, and a spring band connected with the pawl and engaging said disk in a manner to swing the pawl into and out of engagement with the ratchet teeth in the rotation of the disk in opposite directions.

12. In apower driven hoist, the combinamotor and a hoisting drum, of a clutch mechanism for connecting .the motor with the drum in tion with a reversible motor and a hoisting drum, of a clutch mechanism connecting the motor with the drum, said clutch mechanism comprising friction disks, one of said disks being loosely mounted with respect to the drum and having ratchet teeth and anannular flange on one side of the same, apawl carried by the hoist casing to engage the ratchet teeth for holding the loose disk against rotation in one direction, and a split band gripping said flange partway about the same and having one end connected with the pawl to automatically'move the same into and out of engagement with said teeth, said pawl being cut away on one side to clear. the band when the pawl engages said teeth.

13. In a power driven hoist, the combinastopped and also when lowering a load there-- by, a casing and a cover for the drum and clutch mechanism, respectively, and pivot pins for the pawls supported by the casing and cover, respectively. 1

- In testimony whereof I affix my signature this 11th day of April, 1927.

- REINI-IOLD A. NORLING. 

